Swampscott Selectmen to tackle signage issue

SWAMPSCOTT – The selectmen have a full agenda Tuesday evening including a discussion of the zoning bylaw as it relates to signage.The issue of signs came up at a selectmen meeting earlier this month when Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce President Leslie Gould said she has received calls from business owners in Swampscott who are unhappy with the existing sign ordinance. Gould urged the selectmen to reconsider the ordinance, which she implied is not business friendly.Gould referenced a section of the zoning bylaw that specifically prohibits the use of pennants, banners, flags and streamers in town with a few exceptions. The only exceptions are in residential districts where pennants, banners, flags, streamers and windsocks are allowed for non-commercial purposes.Country, state, county and other governmental flags are allowed for non-commercial purposes. The bylaw allows flags identifying clubs and organizations on the premises of the group if the proper permits are obtained.Gould said she believes the town needs to reconsider the bylaw because it is unnecessarily restrictive.In addition to a discussion about the zoning bylaw, the selectmen are expected to receive some recommendations from the Harbor Advisory Committee at the Aug. 31 meeting.Selectman Richard Malagrifa, who is the liaison between the selectmen and Harbor Advisory Committee, said the committee is expected to present recommendations on how to get prams and dinghies off the beach. This summer the sand was littered with prams, kayaks and other watercraft, which town officials said impeded beach access and posed a safety hazard. The problem was a topic of discussion at several selectmen meetings this year and the selectmen asked the Harbor Advisory Committee to come up with some recommendations as to how to tidy up the area. Malagrifa said the Harbor Advisory Committee would be prepared to make those recommendations at the selectmen meeting this week.?The committee will be presenting policies designed to clean up the beach and maintain order on the beach,” he said. “It will detail how to maintain a semblance of order there. The recommendations will touch on dinghies, sailboats and prams.”Malagrifa said boat storage is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to harbor related topics that need to be addressed.?There will be more recommendations to come in the future,” he said. “The Harbor Advisory Committee will be looking at other projects to enhance and revitalize the harbor, including dredging.”